Carton



June 30, 1953 o. L. vlNl-:s 2,643,813

CARTON Filed Aug. 24, 1951 FIG.I

INVENTOR scar l. Knes ZM, M, Mh am ATTORNEYS Patented June 30, 1953 ACARTON Oscar L. Vines, New York, N. Y., assignor to Alford Cartons,Ridgefield Park,

ration of New Jersey N. J., a corpo- Application August 24, 1951, SerialNo.`243,435

Claims. (Cl. 229-31) This invention relates to cartons and, moreparticularly, to folding cartons adapted to contain fruit and the like.the present invention is of the knockdown, set-up type such that thecarton in its knocked-down condition can be setup by a bending motionapplied to the end portions ofthe carton.

There has -been extensive development in recent years of folding cartonssuitable for use in the packaging of fruit such as tomatoes and thelike. These tomato trays,` as they are generally referred to, arecommonly provided with an open top so thatthe filled tray can besubsequently wrapped with a transparent material which will leave thecontents of the tray exposed to view. A particularly successful form oftomato tray has thus been developed in which the tray is composed of ablank having two side panels folded over and inwardly on top of acentral panel about two fold lines extending longitudinally of the blankso as to form a substantially flat structure in the knocked-downcondition. For erection of ithe folded tray, each end portion of theflat structure is folded upwardly about an inner transverse fold line sothat a folding web, defined in each of the two side panels adjacent the`trans- Yverse fold line, causes the side walls to assume an upstandingposition. In the'resulting structure, itis particularly important thatthe end walls of the erected tray stand' straight and provide strengthfor not only the ends of the carton but also for the adjoining portionsof the side walls of the carton. An additional feature which is'generally required in such structures is a flap at each end of thecarton adapted to project "inwardly a short distance from the upper edgeVof each end portion. The purpose of these inwardly projecting flaps isto provide a horizontal platform upon which :another filled tray can besupported when a plurality of the filled trays are stacked for shipmentor display.

I have now devi-sedv a carton blank of the type `which forms a foldingtomato tray of the afore- `mentioned type and which is furthercharacterized by improved struction.

qualities in its end wallcon- The carton blank of the invention has asubstantially rectangular shape and is provided with two parallel foldlines extending longitudinally the full length of the blank, each of vthese longitudinal fold lines being disposed sub- -stantially the samedistance from and parallel to the longitudinal sides of the blank.Theblank ris further provided with aflrst pair of parallel 'fold lineseach of which extends transversely.

across a separate end portion of the blank at The folding carton of thesame distance inwardly from the proximate fold line of the rst pair asthe distance between said proximate fold line and the -proximate end ofthe blank. The blank is further provided with four separate fold linesextending diagonally outwardly to the two sides ofV the blank at anangle of about 45 thereto from each ofthe four intersections of the twolongitudinal fold lines and the two transverse foldlines of said secondpair thereof. The portion of each end of the blank dened by the twolongitudinal fold lines, the end of the blank and the transverse foldline proximate thereto is provided with an arched cut line having itsends positioned adjacent the intersections of saidlongitudinal foldlines with the aforementioned proximate transverse fold line. Each endportion `of the blank is provided with lan end-locking 'arrangementadvantageously composed of an outwardly projecting tongue portion oneach end of the blank and a substantially centrally disposed transversecut line in the body of the blank adjacent the inboard side of each ofthe transverse fold lines of said second pair thereof.

The carton blank of my'invention is capable of forming a cartoncomprising-two `side panels folded over and inwardly on top of a centralpanel about the two longitudinal fold lines extending longitudinally ofthe blank so as to form a'substantially flat structure. Each Vendportion of the at structure is capable of being folded upwardly about:an inner transverse fold line with resulting erection of the sidepanels `of the blank bythe folding of a web portion of each side panelabout a diagonally disposed fold line therein. Each upwardly extendingend portion is folded inwardly and downwardly into a locked positionwithin the interior of the resulting carton about a transverse fold linepositioned substantially centrally of said end portion of the flatstructure. An

arched-shaped flap struck up from the end por-v verse fold lines I2 andby folding upwardly the end portions of the assembled carton;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 after theupper part of the upstanding end portion of the structure hasbeen foldedinwardly and downwardly into a locked position within the interior ofthe carton;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along ,line 5--5 y y of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view of another modication of a carton blankembodying the invention; and l Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the endportion of a folded carton in a further folded condition.

The carton blank shown in Fig. 1V is ofV substantially rectangular shapeand is provided with two parallel fold lines I0 and II extendinglongitudinally the full length of the blank. Each of the longitudinalfold lines IG and II is parallel tothe longitudinal sides of the blankand each is disposed substantially the same distance inwardly from thelongitudinal sides of the blank. The blank is further provided with arst pair. of parallel fold lines I2 and I3 each of which extendstransversely across a separate end portion of the blank. V`Each of thetrans- I3k is positioned at substantially the same spaced distanceinwardly from the respective ends I4 and IEof the blank. If desired, thetransverse fold lines I2 and I3 may be positioned at a distance from theends of the blank greater thanV the distance from the longitudinal foldlines I3 and II tothe sides of the blank so that the end wall section ofthe erected carton will be higher than the side walls thereof as in aconventional vtomato tray. ofcourse. these dimensions maybe changed atwill to provide any desired relative height te the end walls and sidewalls of the assembled carton embodying my invention. The blank is alsoprovided with a second pair of parallel fold lines I6 and I'I extendingtransversely across separate end portions 0f theblank- The distancebetween the ends I4 and I5 of theublank and the proximate transversefold lines i2 and I3 of the rst pair thereof is substantially the sameas the distance between the transverseY fold lines I2 and I3 and thetransverse fold lines I6 and II, respectively, of the secondpair'thereof.

. The aforernentmned longitudinal and transverse fold lines denne in theblank the side Wall 4 smaller, respectively, than 45. The portions ofthe ends of the blank defined by the two longitudinal fold lines I0 andIl, the ends I4 and i5- of the blank and the transverse fold lines l2and I3 approximate thereto are each provided with an arched cut line 22and 23, respectively, the ends of the arched cut lines 22 and 23 be-Aing positioned adjacent the intersections of the longitudinal foldlines I0 and I I with said proximate transverse fold lines I2 and I3.The 0pposite ends of the blank are provided with outwardly projectingtongue portions 24 and 25, and the body of the blank is provided withsubstantially centrally disposed transverse cut lines 2B and 21vadjacent the inboard side of each of the transverse fold lines I6 andI'I of said second pair thereof. The blank is advantageously,

"although not necessarily, provided with glue panels and end wallportions of the assembled carton. In order to providea folding webportion between each side panel and the adjacent end wall structure, theblank is Yfurther provided with four separate fold lines I8, I9, 20 and2| extending diagonally outwardly to the two sides of the blank at anangle of about45 thereto from each of the four intersections of the twolongitudinal fold lines ID andII With the two transverse vfold linesIGand I 'I of the second pair thereof. If the fold lines I8, AI9, 2 6 and2I` are not disposed at 45 to the sides oflthe blank, the side walls. 3Dand 3I willfnot stand vertically but will slopeinwardly oroutwardlydepending upon whether the aiorementioned ,angle` is larger or tabs 28and 29 projecting outwardly from a side of the blank near each endthereof and adapted to join together the extremities of the two sideportions of the blank when the blank is folded along the twolongitudinal fold lines I0 and II.

The resulting carton blank is adapted to be assembled into a form readyfor erection simply by bending the two side Wall panels 30 and 3| aboutthe longitudinal fold lines I0 and Il, respectively. If, as shown inFig. l, in contradistinction to the form of blank shown in Fig. 6, theblank is provided with glue tabs 28 and 29 along one side Wall panel,these tabs will subsequently be'secured to the surface of the 0D- positeside Wall panel so as to secure the two panels in a position in whichthey are folded liet `against the central panel 32 as shown in Fig. 2.

Erection of the assembled carton is effected, as shown in Fig. 3, by rstraising the end portion of the carton upwardly about the secondmentionedpair of transverse fold lines I6 and I'I. As this is done, the diagonalfold lines I8, I9, 20 and 2 I, remaining close to the body of the endportions, causes the Webs 33, 34, 35 and 316 to fold outwardly andupwardly with resulting setting-up of the side wall panels 30 and 3I.The uppermost section `of the resulting upstanding end portion ofV thecarton structure is then folded inwardly and downwardly about thelirstmentioned pair of transverse fold lines I2 and I3 until, as shownin Fig. 4, the tongue at'the extreme end of the blank snaps into thetransverse cut line in the bottom panel of the blank, these parts beingthe tongue 25 and the cut line 2l in the partial views shown in Figs. 3and 4.

By referring to Fig, 5 it will be seen that the end wall of the erectedcarton stands upright with no tendency to slope outwardly or bulge inany other way. This result is achieved largely by virtue of the factthat both sections of the end portion of the assembled carton areprovided along its edges with a folded section as indicated at 31 and 38in Figs. 3 and 4. The rigidity offered by these fold sections 31 and 38securelyy holds the two folded sections of the end portion inVengagement with the end wall portion dened by lthewebs 35 and 3G. Bythus holding the end superposed thereupon with the result that thekweight of the overlying loaded cartons is capable of deforming thehorizontally disposed end flaps and thus damage the contents of theloaded carton. But as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the

Vend portion of the erected carton of the present invention retains itsdesired vertical position and, by virtue of the fold sections 3'I and 38along the two halves of each end portion positioned on opposite sides ofthe webs 35 and 36, affords maximum end strength for a carton of thisgeneral type.

It will be observed in Figs. 4. and 5 that the innermost surface of theend structure is part of the central panel of the carton which alsoforms the outermost surface of the end wall structure. Inasmuch as theoutermost and innermost surfaces of the end structure are composed ofthe same panel section, these two surfaces lock securely between themall other intermediate portions of the end structure so as to insure thedesired rigidity and strength of the lentire end structure. The archedcontour of the cut lines 22 and 23 which dene the end flaps 39 and 40has a desirable function in that it provides a rounded cut-out contouralong the innermost surface of the end sections of the jerected carton,as shown clearly in Fig. 4. This rounded contour eliminates any sharpedges which might otherwise injure or mark the fruit 'or otherperishable objects loaded thereinto.

If, for greater simplicity in erecting the folded `cartonyit is desiredto supply the users of the carton with a folded carton in which the ex-Ytreme end sections of the end portions of the Acarton'have been foldedover as shown in Fig.

7, I have found it advisable to form the fold lines I2 and I3, thelatter being shown in Fig. 6, as a relatively wide score band so as topermit the end rflaps 39and40 to lie flat against the folded carton.

In order to facilitate erection of the assembled carton, I have found itadvantageous, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 6, to form the innermostportion of the diagonal fold lines I8, I9, 20 and 2| by a cut line 4I.Moreover. as further shown inthe modification illustrated in Fig. 6, Ihave found that the erection of the assembled carton is furtherfacilitated by providing notch-shaped cutouts 42 adjacent the outermostends of the fold- -ing webs 33, 34, 35 and 36.

Carton blanks inf corporating these features are characterized byextreme simplicity of erection such that the cartons can be set up inautomatic loading machines.

I claim:

1. A carton blank of substantially rectangular shape provided with twoparallel fold lines extending longitudinally the full length of theblank, each of said longitudinal fold lines being disposedsubstantiallythe same distance from and parallel to the longitudinalsides of the blank, the blank being further provided with a first pairof parallel fold lines each of which extends transversely across aseparate end portion of the blank at substantially the same spaceddistance inwardly therefrom and with a second pair of parallel foldlines each of which extends transversely across a separate end portionof the blank at substantially the same distance inwardly from theproximate fold line of the first pair as the distance between saidproximate fold line and the proximate end of the blank, the blankfurther having four separate fold lines extending diagonally outwardlyto the -of the transverse fold lines of two sides of the blank at anangle of about fortyflve degrees thereto from each of the fourintersections of the two longitudinal fold lines and the two transversefold lines of said second pair thereof, the portion of each end of theblank defined by the two longitudinal fold lines, the end of the blankand the transverse fold line proximate thereto being provided with anoutwardly arched cut line having its ends positioned adjacent theintersections of said longitudinal fold lines with said proximatetransverse fold line, the ends of the blank being provided with anoutwardly projecting tongue portion, and the body of the blank beingprovided with a, substantially centrally disposed transverse cut lineadjacent the inboard side of each said second pair thereof.

2. A carton blank of substantially rectangular shape provided with twoparallel fold lines extending longitudinally the full length of theblank, each of said longitudinal fold lines being disposed substantiallythe same distance from and parallel to the longitudinal sides of theblank, the blank being further provided with a pair of parallel foldlines each of which extends transversely across a, separate end portionof the blank at substantially the same spaced distance inwardlytherefrom and with a second pair of parallel fold lines each of whichextends transversely across'a separate end portionv of the blank atsubstantially the same distance inwardly from the proximate fold line ofthe other pair as the distance between said proximate fold line and theproximate end of the blank, the blank further having four separate foldlines extending diagonally outwardly to the two sides of the blank at anangle of' about forty-five degrees thereto from each of the fourintersections of the two longitudinal fold lines and the two transversefold lines of said second pair thereof, the inboard portion of each ofsaid diagonal fold' lines comprising a cut line, the portion of each endof the blank defined by the two longitudinal fold lines, the end of theblank and the transverse fold line proximate thereto being provided withan outwardly arched cut line having its ends positioned adjacent theintersections of said longitudinal fold lines with said proximatetransverse fold line, the ends of the blank being provided with anoutwardly projecting tongue portion, and the body of the blankbeingprovided with a substantially centrally disposed transverse cut lineadjacent the inboard side of each of the transverse fold-lines of saidsecond pair thereof.

3. A carton blank of substantially rectangular shape provided with twoparallel fold lines extending longitudinally the full length of theblank, each of said longitudinal fold lines being disposed substantiallythe same distance from and parallel to the longitudinal sides of theblank, the blank being further provided with a pair of parallel foldlines each of which extends transversely across a separatev end portionof the blank at substantially the same spaced distance inwardlytherefrom and with a second pair of parallel fold lines each of whichextends 7 or the blank at an angle ofabout forty-five degrees theretofrom each of the four intersections of the two longitudinal fold linesand the two transverse fold lines of said second pair thereof, theportion of' each end of the blank dened by the two longitudinal foldlines, the end of the blank and the transverse fold line proximatethereto beingprovided with an outwardly arched cut line having its endspositioned adjacent the intersections of said longitudinal Vfold lineswith said proximate transverse fold line, the ends of the blank beingprovided with an outwardly projecting tongue portion, the body of theblank beingprovided with a substantially centrally disposed transversecut line adjacent the inboard side of each of the transversefold linesof said second pair thereof, and a glue tab projecting outwardly from aside of the blank near each end thereof and adapted to join together theextremities of the vtwo side portions of the blank when the blank isfolded along said two longitudinal fold lines.

4. A carton blank of substantially rectangular shape provided with twoparallel fold lines extending longitudinally the full length of theblank, each of said longitudinal fold lines being disposed substantiallythe same distance from and parallel to thelongitudinal sides of theblank, the blank being further provided with a pair oiparallel foldlines each of which ex tends transversely across a separate end por-Ltionof-the blank at substantially the saine spaced -distance inwardlytherefrom and with a second .pair oi parallel fold lilies` each of whichextends transversely across va separate end portion of the blank atsubstantially the same distance inwardly romthe proximate score line Vofthe other pair as the distance between said proximate fold lines and theproximate end 0i the blank, the distance between each of the transversefold lines of the rst pair and the proximate end of the blank beinggreater than the distance between veach of the longitudinal fold linesand the proximate side of the blank.

the'lblank further having four separate fold lines extending diagonallyoutwardly to the two sides of the blank at an angle of about forty-fivedegrees thereto from each of the iour intersections of the twolongitudinal fold lines and the two transverse fold lines yof saidsecond pair thereof,A the portion of eachend of the blank denned by thetwo longitudinal fold lines, `the Vend of the blank and thertransversefold line proximate thereto being provided with an outwardly arched cutline having its ends positioned adjacentV the intersections [ofsaidlongitudinal fold lines with g saidproximate transverse fold line, theends of the blank beingsprovided with an outwardly projecting tongueportion, and the bodyof theblank being provided Witha substantiallycentrally disposed transverse cut line adjacent the inboard side or eachof the transverse foldlines ot said second pair thereof.

5.v A carton comprising a bottom panel, .two upright side wall panels-,joining the bottom panel adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, twoupright cuter end wall panels joining the bottom lpanel adjacent thetransverse edges thereof, each outer end wall panel having an integrallyformed reinforcing panel folded inwardly along each of the verticalsideedges of said outer end wall panel, each reinforcing panel beingprovided with a web integrally joined to the end of the proximate sidewall panel, an upright inner end wall panel integrally joined-to the.top of each outer end wall panel along a transverse fold line andextending downwardly into the interior of the carton in locked positionon the inboard side vof saidWeb. each inner end wall panel having anintegrally formed reinforcing panel folded inwardly along each of thevertical side edges of saidinner endwall panel and integrallyljoi'ned`to Vthe first-mentioned proximate Vreinforcing panel, and anarch-shaped nap struck up Vfrom. each Ainner end walllpaneland'foldableabout the aforesaid vtransverse fold line adjacent the topof both said inner and outer end wall panels, whereby each endoftheca'rton is provid'edwith two end wall sections held erect bysaidwebwith each section being vertically vreinforced by the fold adjacentits vertical vside edges.

K OSGAR'jn-'vmas References Cited in the fuenf this patent UNITEDsTATEsPATENTs :Number .Y Name jDate V991,052 Draper May 2, 19111,471,478` eigelmanv vi Oct. 23,' 1923 2,136,797 Lee v Nov. 15; 19382,274,714 Levkoi i Mar. 3, 1942 f 2,342,551 Levkoi .r Feb. 22,1944V2,395,363y Williams Feb. 19, 1946 2,532,808 GrinnellA i Dec. 5, 1950vv,2,555,655 Painter 1 -1 June 5, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS

